Political Science

Political Science

Program Description

Studying political science at AUM will train you in skills adaptable to a rapidly changing job market. You’ll develop the ability to read critically, think analytically, and write clearly: excellent preparation for a career in law, politics, public policy analysis, special interest advocacy, nonprofit management, the Foreign Service, intelligence gathering, or journalism and media. You can choose from courses in American politics, international relations, comparative politics, political behavior, and public administration, gaining an understanding of the forces that shape the lives of citizens in the United States and around the world. Adapt the major to your own interests, focusing on American politics and/or international relations.

Points of Pride

Classes are small, so faculty will know you well and work closely with you.

The AUM political science major culminates with a senior capstone seminar in which all students have the opportunity to explore a topic of interest to them in-depth.

AUM political science majors have held recent internships with a host of state and municipal government agencies and non-profit organizations including: Congresswoman Martha Roby’s congressional campaign, the Alabama State Legislature, the Alabama Secretary of State, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the State Auditor’s Office, the Montgomery City Council, the Montgomery Fair Housing Center, the Montgomery County Area Council on Aging, the Alabama Higher Education Partnership, the Family Sunshine Center, the Family Guidance Center, the AUM Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, the Alabama Republican Party and the Alabama Democratic Party.

Our political science faculty are passionate teachers who bring their research and diverse experiences to the classroom – those experiences include living in various parts of the United States, doing research in Europe and Africa, and working for the U.S. Congress.

Put Your Degree to Work

Note: While salaries vary depending on several factors including your level of experience, education and training, and geography and industry, here is a sampling of the future job growth and salaries in this area.

A degree in political science opens the door to a wide range of jobs. You can be a lawyer, diplomat, politician, intelligence officer, journalist, campaign manager, university professor, legislative assistant, policy analyst, lobbyist, and more.

U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics sample

Jobs

Median Pay

Job Growth through 2024

Campaign fundraising manager

$101,510 per year

7% (4,700 more jobs)

​Lawyer

$114,970 per year

6% (43,800 more jobs)

Survey Researcher

$53,920 per year

12% (1,900 more jobs)

For More Information

Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Auburn University at Montgomery
Goodwyn Hall 209
334-244-3698sricha17@aum.edu

Soaring Warhawks

Christie Tarantino-Dean is Executive Vice-President and CEO of the Institute of Food Technologists, an international organization that works to create a "safe, sustainable, and nutritious" food supply for everyone.

Clay Crenshaw is Division Chief of the Appellate Division in the Office of the Attorney General of Alabama.

Adrien Adams is studying for a doctorate in juvenile criminal justice at the New Jersey City University.

Janice McDonald is the retired Director of the Elections Division with the office of the Alabama Secretary of State.

Randy McNeill served as Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Trials and Appeals Division in the Alabama Attorney General’s Office; Deputy District Attorney and then Chief Deputy District Attorney in the Montgomery Country District Attorney’s Office; Deputy Attorney General for the Alabama Securities Commission, and Deputy Director of the Alabama Securities Commission.He is now an attorney at the Webb & Eley law firm in Montgomery, Alabama.

Khaula Hadeed earned a J.D. from Cumberland Law School at Samford University and became Executive Director of the Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Dr. Melissa Galvin Lumpkin is Professor and Chair in the Department of Public Health, Samford University.

Santessa “Tessa” Lowery is a Business Process Manager at the Alabama Retail Association.

Edin Mujkic went on to earn a Ph.D. from the joint AUM-Auburn University Program in Public Administration and Public Policy and is an assistant professor, in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Boone Kinard is Director of Policy and Research in the Office of the Speaker of the House, Alabama House of Representatives.

Ragan Ingram has been a sports writer, public relations specialist, political campaign manager, Communications Director for the Office of Lieutenant Governor, and Assistant Commissioner and Chief of Staff at the Alabama Department of Insurance. He’s now an Associate at Windom, Galliher and Associates, a government relations firm in Montgomery.

Program Overview

The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail, please see our official online catalog AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the core curriculum courses required for all majors and may not include some program-specific information, such as admissions, retention and termination standards.

Course sampling specific to the Political Science major includes:

Course #

Course Name

Course Description

POLS 2020

Intro to American Politics

Introduces students to the key institutions and processes shaping the American political system, including the Constitution, the presidency, Congress, the judiciary, elections, parties, and the media. May be taught online.

POLS 2200

Intro to International Relations

Introduces students to a conceptual and analytical understanding of international relations. Focuses on the impact of sovereignty, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, international law, power, interdependence, globalization, and the prospect for cooperation and conflict.

POLS 3450

Comparative Politics

An examination of the institutions, political processes, functions, and problems of major contemporary political systems from a comparative perspective.

POLS 3010

Research Methods

Introduces students to strategies and methods of conducting research in the study of politics including topic selection, literature review, hypotheses testing, survey and archival research, and other components of political science research. May be taught as writing intensive course.

POLS 4952

Senior Seminar

Students develop, research, write, and present an independent analysis of some political phenomenon. Topics and explanations are to be informed and guided by the relevant political science literature. Normally taken fall semester of senior year.

Additional 24 semester hours in Political Science: must include three 3,000-level and two 4000-level courses, and three courses at any level.